Bad date ended in wedding bells

AS SHE walked down the aisle to her soon-to be husband, Jacquie Eggins said she felt nothing but pure joy and excitement - finally she would get to marry the love of her life, Aidan, after many happy years together.

The couple first met in 2011, when Mrs Eggins (nee Dunn) was meant to go on a date with another friend in her circle at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club.

After deciding to invite all their friends along to the night instead, the two soon realised they weren't compatible, and Mrs Eggins ended up talking to her now-husband instead.

"I'm so glad we did (invite the others) as that was when we realised we would never date,” Mrs Eggins said.

"Instead Aidan and I started talking and it was like a newfound friendship that quickly turned to love.”

The couple held an intimate ceremony, inviting 60 of their closest family and friends to attend.Amanda Ward Photography

Mrs Eggins said she fell for her partner's caring and selfless nature, always providing a helping hand to those in need.

"He also values his family, friends, colleagues and his job immensely,” she said.

"He's just nothing short of a wonderful father and husband.”

On September 3, 2016 the couple married in an intimate ceremony at Sticks and Stones at Habana (above), overlooking beautiful views of lush greenery and in the company of 60 of their closest family and friends.

"On the morning of the wedding I woke up at 5am along with my three children, I was just so full of excitement to the point that I cried because I was finally going to become my fiance's wife,” Mrs Eggins said.

Jacquie and Aidan Eggins were married on September 3, 2016 at Sticks and Stones.Amanda Ward Photography

"We picked the venue for both the ceremony and reception because it's absolutely beautiful and we were able to make our own personal touches ourselves.

"To me it was breathtaking and we could always vision our wedding day there.”

One of the most special moments of the day, according to the bride, was getting ready with her bridal party and children prior to the ceremony.

"We went to bed at 3am the morning of,” she said. "But it was just the perfect day, even when hiccups happened I just went on with a smile because none of that matters. All that mattered was that I married my best friend and got to share it with our amazing friends and family.”

Aiden Eggins and his wedding party.Amanda Ward Photography

"Saying our vows was also emotional but we where so very happy and in love, it was just perfect.”

Now happily married, the couple said they are loving their new relationship status and felt it had brought them even closer together.

"It's amazing and I love it, although nothing much has changed except we are more committed to working hard for our future goals,” Mrs Eggins said.

"At first it was strange to hear Mrs Jacqueline Eggins but I'm used to it now, it was so important to me to have Aidan's last name also because our four children have the Eggins last name and I felt taking his name completes our little family.”